I operated the saltwater distillator on the IXD2 boat U-859. The machine was operated when I had time off from operating the switchboard for the E-machines. The distiller was electrically drivven and had to be closely attended whilst operating, because the maintainance of the temperature was very critical. If the temperature exeeded 100 degree Celsius, the water would boil over and sea water would contaminate the fresh water tank. The machine could not be used when travelling submerged using the snorkel,because the boiling point of water depends on the ambient air pressure, which fluctuated violently whilst snorkelling
Arthur Baudzus